A racist rant caught on camera “did not meet the legal threshold for a hate-motivated criminal offence,” according to Kelowna RCMP.
Corporate and Client Services Officer Insp. Laura Pollock confirmed that officers attended a reported disturbance stemming from a road rage incident near the intersection of Bertram Street and Bernard Avenue around 1:43 p.m. on Sunday, May 10.
In the video, which has been circulated across social media, a man is seen yelling racist slurs and inappropriate language at multiple people.
The video can be found here, viewer discretion is advised.
According to Pollock, after officers accessed the situation, it was determined the matter didn’t meet the criteria for a hate-motivated criminal offence and was rather treated as a “hate-motivated incident involving verbal abuse and the use of racial or derogatory language in a public setting.”
“While the comments were offensive and concerning, they did not meet the Criminal Code elements required for a hate propaganda-related offence,” added Pollock. “We recognize the impact these incidents can have on individuals and the broader community, and all reports of this nature are taken seriously and reviewed thoroughly.”
Neither vehicle was damaged. The file matter has now been concluded.
MP Dan Albas Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna, also posted on X about the incident.
“There is no version of Canada where this is acceptable. None,” said Albas on Monday, May 11. “I’m thinking of that family today and hoping they’re safe. This kind of behaviour needs to be called out every single time.”